Area Farm & Ag Headlines

On Friday, May 2nd, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the final 2012 Census of Agriculture results sharing a wide-range of information about what agricultural products were raised in the United States in 2012, and where, how and by whom they were grown. The data, which is reported at the national, state and county level, will help farmers, ranchers, local officials, agribusiness and others make decisions for the future.

The 5th Annual Iowa's Best Burger contest just wrapped up, as put together by the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Congratulations to Brick City Grill in Ames, Iowa!

Iowans submitted more than 9,600 nomination votes for 456 restaurants in February and March that selected the Top Ten restaurants. The Top Ten were then independently visited and judged based on the hamburger's taste, appearance, and proper serving temperature (160 degrees).

Owner Jason Mikkelsen attributes the beef with the credit. He uses a proprietary chuck...

The 85th Annual Minnesota State FFA Convention wrapped up this week, with many area FFA members and alumni taking home high honors.

Big congratulations to Deb Martin, Worthington ag teacher and FFA advisor, as one of the 19 individuals to receive the Honorary State FFA Degree!

This honor is presented to teachers, individuals and companies who have demonstrated continued success and support of the FFA and/or ag education, and made a significant impact and contribution to the success of students and the organization.

Congratulations to the 2014 Pork Industry Scholarship winners! A total of 18 recipients were selected, hailing from 12 states and 10 universities. Several of these winners hail from the tri-state listening area (highlighted in green), with the majority of the recipients from Midwest states.

On Earth Day, April 22nd, the The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) retroactively lowered the volume of cellulosic biofuel that refiners must blend into traditional fuels, aligning the 2013 mandated volume to the actual amount of fuels produced.

We are still awaiting the final decision on the 2014 proposed Renewable Fuel Standard from the EPA and in the meantime, in conjunction with Earth Day, the Fuels America coalition has launched a campaign to counter the U.S. oil industry's campaign against ethanol. You may see the television ad on cable, as well as online.

April 22nd is Earth Day!Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) encourages everyone to recognize every day as Earth Day.

"In agriculture, every day is Earth Day. April 22 is the day where we emphasize the importance of our natural resources and share agriculture's story," said MFBF President Kevin Paap. "As farmers, we pride ourselves in caring for our water, air, land and its resources. Conserving and protecting the earth for your children and ours is our top priority."

A. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea is a virus that causes signifi cant sickness in swine, affecting their growth and health, and causes high mortality in piglets. The disease is common in parts of Asia and Europe, but is not reportable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). PEDv only affects pigs and does not pose any risk to people or pets. It is not a food...

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to quickly step up efforts to prevent further incidence of the fast-spreading Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus that has already killed millions of pigs in Minnesota and across the country, and to provide help to producers already hit by the disease.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Franken urged quick action by USDA to help producers detect PED in their herds and to develop countermeasures such as drugs and vaccines to battle the virus. He also pressed for USDA to provide...

Nearly 20 Farm Bureau members from across Minnesota met with their members of Congress and Senators while in Washington, D.C. during the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Farmers to Washington D.C. trip, March 24-28.

Farm Bureau members met with American Farm Bureau Federation staff and received a briefing on current issues. Attendees also attended National Agriculture Week activities.

Participants also met with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken; Members of Congress Collin Peterson, John Kline, Tim Walz, Michele Bachmann, Erik Paulsen and Rick Nolan and a staff...